30 Nov 2020
Our school is thrilled to share the news of the appointment of Mrs Karyn O'Brien as our new Principal from the commencement of 2021. We are grateful to Mr Perrett for leading our school as Relieving Principal since Mrs Dolstra's retirement.
Mrs O'Brien has the following words to share with our school community to introduce herself.
Dear Colleagues, Parents and Students,
My name is Karyn O’Brien and I have been a proud public educator for 35 years. My career began in Macquarie Fields in 1985 as a beginning teacher at James Meehan High School. I was then Head Teacher TAS at Robert Townson HS and Deputy Principal at both Holroyd and Burwood Girls High Schools. More recently I spent two years providing professional learning to school leaders across the state in use of data and evidence-based research to inform quality teaching and learning in NSW schools.
I am thrilled and honoured to be returning to Macquarie Fields as your new Principal, and excited about working with my colleagues to lead such an interesting school community. I understand that Macquarie Fields HS is a unique and complex learning environment with students in the comprehensive stream, support classes and selective stream. As Principal I will support every student to achieve their educational potential, through talent development opportunities and differentiated teaching practices to ensure their specific learning and wellbeing needs are met; and I welcome the opportunity to work with my colleagues to explore innovative ideas and practices appropriate to our educational setting as we embark on our new Strategic Improvement Plan.
I have a passion for social justice and celebrating diversity in our school community and believe in promoting student voice and student leadership opportunities to equip our young people to meet the demands of the future and to be effective and valued citizens. I highly value authentic relationships with parents and carers and I look forward to walking by your side as we work together to raise strong, resilient, creative, kind and (most importantly) happy young men and women.
Finally, I was 13 years old when I decided to become a teacher and it is a decision I have never regretted. I love teaching now with as much passion as I did in 1985 and I am so looking forward to our future together as a school community as we learn together on the land of the Dharawal people.
Warm regards
Karyn O'Brien